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Daniela Ryf: Copenhagen to the World Championship?

WIESBADEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: Daniela Ryf of Switzerland is the first woman to cross the finish line during the Ironman 70.3 European Championship on August 10, 2014 in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for Ironman)

Daniela Ryf could be the star of the second half of the IRONMAN race season.

by Volker Boch

Daniela Ryf’s race calendar started in June with a glorious victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland. In a few weeks the 27-year-old from Switzerland will be one of the favorites at the Subaru IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Mont-Tremblant and, after that, maybe even for Kona.

Ryf is also the clear favorite for Sunday’s KMD IRONMAN Copenhagen. It will be her fifth race in a season that includes four outstanding victories so far: in addition to that win at IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland she won the 5i50 European Championship in Zurich and then, only one day later, IRONMAN Switzerland. Two weeks after winning her first-ever IRONMAN race, Ryf dominated the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Wiesbaden, defending her title and breaking her own course record. We caught up with Ryf as she prepares for this weekend's race in Copenhagen:

Ironman.com: How do you feel about your season so far?

Daniela Ryf: I had a great start with my new coach, Brett Sutton, as soon as we started working together last winter. He’s helped me a lot, especially mentally. I did not compete in too many races in the early part of the season. I did my exams at university, so I started into the season more or less in July. I guess this was a huge advantage because I had a really good build-up. I was not planning a specific highlight, the goal was to improve from race to race.

You’ve had some great victories over the last few weeks. How do you feel now?

It is difficult to say. I guess I’m fitter than two months ago. I had great races in Rapperswil, in Zurich and in Wiesbaden. I feel very comfortable, and I want to find out what I’m capable of. In two weeks we have the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, which is a goal for me. I would like to try to qualify for Kona. It’s a totally different story, racing in Kona, but my bike form is very good at the moment, which could open up a door for me there.

How did you recover so well from your IRONMAN debut in Zurich?

Normally I would have taken a week off after this race, but my coach told me to go on with my training. I was staggered by how well my body reacted. My body felt tired during the first three or four days, but I was able to get back on track for a workout on Friday after the race.

Some athletes say training under Brett Sutton is harder than racing. Do you agree?

Maybe I’m lucky that I’m more a racer than a "trainaholic athlete." I’m really able to deliver in competition, and I like to do tough training sessions. I really hate to train slow. I guess this is a good combination—sometimes Brett even has to calm me down.

In a few weeks you’ll be at the world championship. What is your goal there?

For sure my goal is to win the race, but there will be a lot of strong athletes competing at Mont-Tremblant. The course is not very easy with its rolling hills and there’s a tough run course. I think this could be course which fits to my strength. I’m really looking forward to racing there.

Doesn’t the course in Kona fit to your strength as well?

I haven’t focused too much on Kona. It was not on my bucket list for this season. It just came up. It would be a great opportunity and I want to give it a try.